Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA10216’

ABSTRACT

A new  Calibrachoa  plant named ‘KLECA10216’ particularly distinguished by a semi-upright and mounding growth habit, and purple-colored flowers with red-purple centers, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Calibrachoa sp.

Variety denomination: ‘KLECA10216’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa, botanically known as Calibrachoa sp. and hereinafter referred to by the variety name ‘KLECA10216’. The new variety was the result of a controlled cross conducted in the Summer of 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany, between the female parent, proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 403’, and the male parent, proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘MF Pink+Red Eye’. A single plant selection was subsequently chosen for further evaluation and asexual propagation.

The new variety was first propagated in May 2008 in Stuttgart, Germany and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by vegetative cuttings and in-vitro propagation over more than forty generations. The present invention has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via vegetative cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety were applied for in Canada on Mar. 19, 2010. ‘KLECA10216’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany.

-   -   1. Semi-upright and mounding growth habit; and     -   2. Purple-colored flowers with red-purple centers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

This new Calibrachoa plant is illustrated by the accompanying photograph which shows inflorescences and foliage of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photograph was taken in May 2010 of a 5-month old Calibrachoa plant grown in a 10 centimeter pot in a glass greenhouse in Stuttgart, Germany under normal horticultural practices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘KLECA10216’. The data which defines these characteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out in Stuttgart, Germany. The plant history was taken in May 2010 of 5-month old plants grown in 10 centimeter pots in a glass greenhouse with a minimum pinch date of one week. Color readings were taken under natural light. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.), Fifth Edition (2007).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Solanaceae.         -   Botanical.—Calibrachoa sp.         -   Common.—Calibrachoa Hybrid. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘X 403’.         -   Male.—The proprietary Calibrachoa plant ‘MF Pink+Red Eye’. -   Growth:     -   -   Form.—Mounding.         -   Habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—13.0 cm.         -   Width (horizontal plant diameter).—15.0 cm.         -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—8 weeks after             potting.         -   Outdoor plant performance.—Continuously flowering, good rain             tolerance, healthy.         -   Time to initiate and develop roots.—15 days.         -   Root description.—Moderate density, freely branching.         -   Root color.—RHS 155D. -   Stems:     -   -   Length of basal branches.—8.0 cm.         -   Internode length.—1.0 cm to 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter of branches (from midpoint).—6.0 cm to 8.0 cm.         -   Stem color.—RHS 146B.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Anthocyanin.—Absent.         -   Pedicel.—Color: RHS 146C. Length: 1.5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm.             Texture (both surfaces): Smooth. -   Leaves:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Size.—Length: 1.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Width: 0.5 cm to 0.9 cm.         -   Shape.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Broad acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Immature and mature leaves: Upper surface: RHS 139A.             Lower surface: RHS 138A.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth.         -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color.—RHS 145A.         -   Petioles.—Absent. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Shape.—Irregular to oblong.         -   Size.—Length: 1.7 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.         -   Color at tight bud.—RHS 75D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous flowering during summertime.         -   Inflorescence type.—Single flower, determinate             inflorescence.         -   Floret type.—Funnel-shaped, single flowers.         -   Lastingness of individual blooms on the plant.—5 days.         -   Fragrance.—Absent. -   Flowers:     -   -   Immature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 1.8 cm. Vertical:             1.9 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 75C and RHS 61B. Lower             surface: RHS 75D and RHS 61A.         -   Mature flower.—Diameter: Horizontal: 2.2 cm. Vertical:             2.1 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 75C and RHS 61B. Lower             surface: RHS 73D and RHS 61A.         -   Corolla tube.—Color inside: RHS 6B. Color outside: RHS 7A.             Tube length: 1.2 cm. Texture (outside): Moderate.         -   Petals.—Apex: Obverse. Base: Open and fused into the tube.             Margin: Entire. Waviness of petals: Weak. Lobation: Weak.             Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.         -   Sepals.—Calyx (composition): Rosette, actinomorphic. Shape:             Lanceolate to elliptic. Apex: Acute. Base: Open and tube is             fused into the base. Margin: Entire. Length: 1.0 cm. Width:             0.2 cm. Color: Upper surface: RHS 146A. Lower surface: RHS             147B. Texture (both surfaces): Smooth. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: 5. Filament color: RHS 154A. Filament             length: 0.8 cm. Filament diameter: 0.1 cm. Pollen color: RHS             11A. Pollen quantity: Abundant.         -   Pistils.—Number: 1. Length: 0.5 cm. Diameter: 0.2 cm. Stigma             color: RHS 149A. Style color: RHS 149A. -   Fruit and Seed Set: No fruit or seed set observed.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘KLECA10216’ differs from the female parent Calibrachoa plant ‘X 403’, in that ‘KLECA10216’ has a semi-upright and mounding growth habit, whereas ‘X 403’ has a more upright growth habit.

‘KLECA10216’ differs from the male parent Calibrachoa plant ‘MF Pink+Red Eye’ in that ‘KLECA10216’ has a semi-upright and mounding growth habit, whereas ‘MF Pink+Red Eye’ has a flat trailing growth habit.

‘KLECA10216’ differs from the commercial cultivar ‘MF Dark Pink+Eye’, in that ‘KLECA10216’ has early flowering and good branching, whereas ‘MF Dark Pink+Eye’ has late flowering and average branching. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Calibrachoa plant named ‘KLECA10216’ as shown and described herein. 